By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions may have rolled past the Cincinnati Bengals 37–24 on Sunday, but not every headline out of Ohio was about their fourth straight win. A couple of key injuries — especially to wide receiver Kalif Raymond and cornerback Terrion Arnold — left fans anxious and reminded everyone that in the NFL, victory often comes at a price.
Kalif Raymond’s Scary Moment
Early in the game, Lions fans collectively gasped as Kalif Raymond took a nasty shot while fielding a punt deep near his own end zone. He stumbled, took a hit to the head area from Bengals running back Samaje Perine, and went down hard. For several long moments, the stadium fell quiet as Raymond stayed on the turf before walking off under his own power and heading to the locker room.
Thankfully, postgame updates brought relief. Head coach Dan Campbell shared that the injury does not appear to be serious.
“It doesn’t feel like some serious issue,” Campbell said after the game. “That doesn’t mean he’ll play next week. But it’s good news, in other words.”
Raymond himself seemed to echo that optimism, telling Campbell, “That didn’t feel too good. But I’m good.”
Detroit will still monitor him closely heading into next week’s trip to Kansas City, but for now, the prognosis looks encouraging.
Isaac TeSlaa Steps Up in the Spotlight
With Raymond sidelined, rookie Isaac TeSlaa was suddenly thrust into action — and he delivered. TeSlaa caught a crucial touchdown late in the game that helped shut down Cincinnati’s fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
It’s impressive stuff from the young receiver: three career catches so far, two resulting in touchdowns, and the third setting up one on the next play. Not bad for a player who hasn’t had much full-speed practice time in that role.
TeSlaa’s calm under pressure proves Detroit’s “next man up” mentality isn’t just coach-speak — it’s part of the team’s DNA.
Terrion Arnold’s Shoulder Struggles Continue
On the defensive side, Terrion Arnold’s shoulder continues to be a concern. For the second straight week, the rookie cornerback left the field and did not return. Despite managing to practice throughout the week and starting against Cincinnati, the injury resurfaced midgame.
Campbell didn’t have much of an update immediately after the game, saying only that the team would “know more Monday.”
Arnold’s development has been one of Detroit’s bright spots this season — but if he’s not 100%, the Lions’ secondary could be stretched thin as they prepare to face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs next week. That matchup demands every healthy body available in coverage.
Depth Will Define the Next Stretch
Detroit’s win streak is impressive, but it’s also exposing how thin the margins can be. The team has battled injuries at multiple positions already this season — from the offensive line to the secondary — and Week 5 added another test.
The good news? Every challenge has been met so far. Backup players have stepped in, delivered, and kept the Lions on their winning track.
The bad news? The upcoming schedule doesn’t get any easier. The Chiefs and Buccaneers are on deck, both capable of punishing mistakes or mismatches. If Detroit wants to stay among the NFC elite, they’ll need both their health and their next-man-up magic to hold strong.
Final Thoughts
Sunday’s win over the Bengals showed the toughness that defines Dan Campbell’s Lions — even when things don’t go perfectly. Injuries might test this team’s limits, but so far, they’ve responded like pros.
If the early reports hold true and Kalif Raymond avoids a long-term setback, Detroit will count that as a win in itself. As for Arnold, the hope is for good news once the team gets back home.
One thing’s for sure: this team is built for adversity, and they keep proving it every single week.